Understanding Asexuality

Anthony F. Bogaert

Asexuality can be defined as an enduring lack of sexual attraction. Thus, asexual individuals do not find (and perhaps never have) others sexually appealing. Some consider “asexuality” as a fourth category of sexual orientation, distinct from heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. However, there is also recent evidence that the label “asexual” may be used in a broader way than merely as “a lack of sexual attraction.” People who say they have sexual attraction to others, but indicate little or no desire for sexual activity are also self-identifying as asexual. Distinct from celibacy, which refers to sexual abstinence by choice where sexual attraction and desire may still be present, asexuality is experienced by those having a lack or sexual attraction or a lack of sexual desire.

More and more, those who identify as asexual are “coming out,” joining up, and forging a common identity. The time is right for a better understanding of this sexual orientation, written by an expert in the field who has conducted studies on asexuality and who has provided important contributions to understanding asexuality. This timely resource will be one of the first books written on the topic for general readers, and the first to look at the historical, biological, and social aspects of asexuality. It includes firsthand accounts throughout from people who identify as asexual. The study of asexuality, as it contrasts so clearly with sexuality, also holds up a lens and reveals clues to the mystery of sexuality. « lessmore »

Anthony Bogaert is professor of community health sciences and psychology at Brock University. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, along with book chapters, on such topics as asexuality, sexual desire, sexual orientation, birth order and sexual identity, and other related topics.

1: Introduction2: The A, B, C, and Ds of Sex (and Asex)3: History of Asexuality4: The Prevalence of Asexuality5: To Masturbate or Not to Masturbate6: Sex and Gender7: Forging an (A)sexual Identity8: The Madness of Sex9: Do You Have Hypoactive Skydiving Disorder?10: A Monster in All Our Lives11: Art and Food on Planet Sex12: (A)sexuality and Humor13: Just Because14: The Beginning

Bibliography

Bogaert (psychology, Brock Univ.) is known for his research on birth order and sexual orientation. Here, he examines another aspect of his research—asexuality. Bogaert sets out to carefully define and describe asexuality using a four-part approach to help categorize the processes of sexuality: A (attraction and arousal), B (behavior), C (cognition), and D (desire). Bogaert describes asexuality as a sexual orientation that is perhaps statistically as prevalent as homosexuality. Other chapters discuss asexuality in regard to masturbation (why would an asexual person masturbate?), gender (is asexuality more prevalent among females?), sexual identity (how is asexual identity different than homosexuality?), the “madness of sex” (how do asexuals view sexuality?), and more. VERDICT Bogaert successfully introduces asexuality as another sexual orientation that demands further research. He likewise demonstrates the importance of asexuality not only in its own right as an understudied subject but also in how it contrasts with other sexual orientations. (His chapter on art and food, showing how sex permeates human culture, is a good example of this.) Recommended for readers interested in human sexuality.— Library Journal

Rather than tackle the overdone topic of sexuality, this book takes a fascinating look at asexuality. A professor of community health sciences and psychology, Bogaert writes about people with (gasp!) no interest in sex and no feelings of sexual attraction. (These folks may still be romantic, though, and they may still masturbate to relieve tension.) Taking a deeply historical perspective, he notes that although sex is the main form of reproduction for species on earth today, it was not for most of the nearly 4 billion years that life has existed here. Given to humorous asides, Bogaert writes of questions surrounding “the exact date of the emergency of sex––call it, ahem, the little bang theory,” and observes that coupling brings the advantages of genetic diversity. The author’s small-type notes are just as interesting as the main text, making this an unusually intriguing and enlightening inquiry.— Booklist

People who aren't interested in sex can teach the rest of us who are a thing or two about it. Indeed, they help us sexual beings better understand why we do what we do, says sexologist Anthony Bogaert, professor of community health sciences and psychology at Brock University. More to the point, they help us understand what sex is, and what it is not, he says. In his newest book, Understanding Asexuality, he explores what he calls the fourth dimension of sexual orientation. In simple terms, a person who is asexual does not feel sexual attraction. At all. Never. It's not celibacy -- that's a choice. Instead, it's part of the person's very being, just like being straight or gay, he says. [Bogaert] hopes his book will teach asexuals a little more about themselves, and enlighten everyone else about their own sexual orientation.— St. Catherine's Standard

Essential reading for anyone who wants to explore how asexuality is transforming our understanding of sex.— David Jay, founder of Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)

Despite an adaptationist flavor, Understanding Asexuality is a thoughtful, nuanced, and even paradigm-changing book.— Maurine Neiman, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, University of Iowa

Understanding Asexuality helps people understand asexuality in a way that asexual websites cannot.— The Examiner

Bogaert (Brock Univ.), who has published numerous articles on sexuality, takes on the little-researched topic of asexuality--lack of interest in sexual relations with others. He struggles with philosophic questions: How should one judge another's mental health? What really is pathology? His chapter on "the madness of sex" is insightful in exploring what is abnormal, what is normal, and the benefits of being asexual--such as less contact with the criminal justice system and mental health agencies. Bogaert seems to speak directly to readers and shows his humor through such chapter titles as "Do You Have Hypoactive Skydiving Disorder?" Because asexuality is an area of minimal research--due to asexuals' not bringing themselves to the attention of others--Bogaert must speculate based on what is known to build a picture of asexuality and provide a solid background for further research. He explores ways that genes can direct or influence a person's sexual choices and gives examples of some features more prominent in the asexual cohort than others, including a larger number of left-handed, later-born sons than average. The bibliography includes some 250 entries. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. — CHOICE

It was refreshing to see the rare publication of a book that delves into the subject and attempts to shed more light onto it, even give it a voice and credibility which is still way too far in the margins.On the whole, I have to say, I found this book interesting, even enjoyable. It is an excellent starting point for study and debate, a brilliant introduction to asexuality. The work he has done is truly enlightening and important.Bogaert made an excellent attempt at deconstructing a very complex issue, identifying and analysing components of romance, sexual desire, behaviour, attraction, sexual pleasure, cognition and identity, differentiating between them, trying to establish whether the absence or presence of each of these components signifies asexuality. He goes into the history as well as current societal representation and culture.— Waterstones

[This] work is extremely well received.— Epoch Times

Asexuality is a sexual orientation that is often overlooked; it has garnered little attention from the scientific community compared to other sexual orientations. Queer theorists especially would benefit from familiarizing themselves with asexuality because it challenges heteronormative norms and, like people of other minority sexual orientations, asexual people are faced with oppression and systematic erasure. It is of no small importance that Understanding Asexuality is the first academic book published on the topic. In this book, Anthony F. Bogaert, a professor of human sexuality, delivers an important theoretical introduction to asexuality for scholars and the general public, as well as asexuals themselves. There is an informal and conversational tone to the book that makes it accessible to all these audiences, while still being professional in its discussion of the extant, if sparse, research. . . .Understanding Asexuality is a solid theoretical introduction to asexuality that provides ample material on which to build future research.— QED: A Journal in GLBTQ Worldmaking

Understanding Asexuality

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Summary

Summary

Asexuality can be defined as an enduring lack of sexual attraction. Thus, asexual individuals do not find (and perhaps never have) others sexually appealing. Some consider “asexuality” as a fourth category of sexual orientation, distinct from heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. However, there is also recent evidence that the label “asexual” may be used in a broader way than merely as “a lack of sexual attraction.” People who say they have sexual attraction to others, but indicate little or no desire for sexual activity are also self-identifying as asexual. Distinct from celibacy, which refers to sexual abstinence by choice where sexual attraction and desire may still be present, asexuality is experienced by those having a lack or sexual attraction or a lack of sexual desire.

More and more, those who identify as asexual are “coming out,” joining up, and forging a common identity. The time is right for a better understanding of this sexual orientation, written by an expert in the field who has conducted studies on asexuality and who has provided important contributions to understanding asexuality. This timely resource will be one of the first books written on the topic for general readers, and the first to look at the historical, biological, and social aspects of asexuality. It includes firsthand accounts throughout from people who identify as asexual. The study of asexuality, as it contrasts so clearly with sexuality, also holds up a lens and reveals clues to the mystery of sexuality.

Anthony Bogaert is professor of community health sciences and psychology at Brock University. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, along with book chapters, on such topics as asexuality, sexual desire, sexual orientation, birth order and sexual identity, and other related topics.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1: Introduction2: The A, B, C, and Ds of Sex (and Asex)3: History of Asexuality4: The Prevalence of Asexuality5: To Masturbate or Not to Masturbate6: Sex and Gender7: Forging an (A)sexual Identity8: The Madness of Sex9: Do You Have Hypoactive Skydiving Disorder?10: A Monster in All Our Lives11: Art and Food on Planet Sex12: (A)sexuality and Humor13: Just Because14: The Beginning

Bibliography

Reviews

Reviews

Bogaert (psychology, Brock Univ.) is known for his research on birth order and sexual orientation. Here, he examines another aspect of his research—asexuality. Bogaert sets out to carefully define and describe asexuality using a four-part approach to help categorize the processes of sexuality: A (attraction and arousal), B (behavior), C (cognition), and D (desire). Bogaert describes asexuality as a sexual orientation that is perhaps statistically as prevalent as homosexuality. Other chapters discuss asexuality in regard to masturbation (why would an asexual person masturbate?), gender (is asexuality more prevalent among females?), sexual identity (how is asexual identity different than homosexuality?), the “madness of sex” (how do asexuals view sexuality?), and more. VERDICT Bogaert successfully introduces asexuality as another sexual orientation that demands further research. He likewise demonstrates the importance of asexuality not only in its own right as an understudied subject but also in how it contrasts with other sexual orientations. (His chapter on art and food, showing how sex permeates human culture, is a good example of this.) Recommended for readers interested in human sexuality.— Library Journal

Rather than tackle the overdone topic of sexuality, this book takes a fascinating look at asexuality. A professor of community health sciences and psychology, Bogaert writes about people with (gasp!) no interest in sex and no feelings of sexual attraction. (These folks may still be romantic, though, and they may still masturbate to relieve tension.) Taking a deeply historical perspective, he notes that although sex is the main form of reproduction for species on earth today, it was not for most of the nearly 4 billion years that life has existed here. Given to humorous asides, Bogaert writes of questions surrounding “the exact date of the emergency of sex––call it, ahem, the little bang theory,” and observes that coupling brings the advantages of genetic diversity. The author’s small-type notes are just as interesting as the main text, making this an unusually intriguing and enlightening inquiry.— Booklist

People who aren't interested in sex can teach the rest of us who are a thing or two about it. Indeed, they help us sexual beings better understand why we do what we do, says sexologist Anthony Bogaert, professor of community health sciences and psychology at Brock University. More to the point, they help us understand what sex is, and what it is not, he says. In his newest book, Understanding Asexuality, he explores what he calls the fourth dimension of sexual orientation. In simple terms, a person who is asexual does not feel sexual attraction. At all. Never. It's not celibacy -- that's a choice. Instead, it's part of the person's very being, just like being straight or gay, he says. [Bogaert] hopes his book will teach asexuals a little more about themselves, and enlighten everyone else about their own sexual orientation.— St. Catherine's Standard

Essential reading for anyone who wants to explore how asexuality is transforming our understanding of sex.— David Jay, founder of Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN)

Despite an adaptationist flavor, Understanding Asexuality is a thoughtful, nuanced, and even paradigm-changing book.— Maurine Neiman, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biology, University of Iowa

Understanding Asexuality helps people understand asexuality in a way that asexual websites cannot.— The Examiner

Bogaert (Brock Univ.), who has published numerous articles on sexuality, takes on the little-researched topic of asexuality--lack of interest in sexual relations with others. He struggles with philosophic questions: How should one judge another's mental health? What really is pathology? His chapter on "the madness of sex" is insightful in exploring what is abnormal, what is normal, and the benefits of being asexual--such as less contact with the criminal justice system and mental health agencies. Bogaert seems to speak directly to readers and shows his humor through such chapter titles as "Do You Have Hypoactive Skydiving Disorder?" Because asexuality is an area of minimal research--due to asexuals' not bringing themselves to the attention of others--Bogaert must speculate based on what is known to build a picture of asexuality and provide a solid background for further research. He explores ways that genes can direct or influence a person's sexual choices and gives examples of some features more prominent in the asexual cohort than others, including a larger number of left-handed, later-born sons than average. The bibliography includes some 250 entries. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. — CHOICE

It was refreshing to see the rare publication of a book that delves into the subject and attempts to shed more light onto it, even give it a voice and credibility which is still way too far in the margins.On the whole, I have to say, I found this book interesting, even enjoyable. It is an excellent starting point for study and debate, a brilliant introduction to asexuality. The work he has done is truly enlightening and important.Bogaert made an excellent attempt at deconstructing a very complex issue, identifying and analysing components of romance, sexual desire, behaviour, attraction, sexual pleasure, cognition and identity, differentiating between them, trying to establish whether the absence or presence of each of these components signifies asexuality. He goes into the history as well as current societal representation and culture.— Waterstones

[This] work is extremely well received.— Epoch Times

Asexuality is a sexual orientation that is often overlooked; it has garnered little attention from the scientific community compared to other sexual orientations. Queer theorists especially would benefit from familiarizing themselves with asexuality because it challenges heteronormative norms and, like people of other minority sexual orientations, asexual people are faced with oppression and systematic erasure. It is of no small importance that Understanding Asexuality is the first academic book published on the topic. In this book, Anthony F. Bogaert, a professor of human sexuality, delivers an important theoretical introduction to asexuality for scholars and the general public, as well as asexuals themselves. There is an informal and conversational tone to the book that makes it accessible to all these audiences, while still being professional in its discussion of the extant, if sparse, research. . . .Understanding Asexuality is a solid theoretical introduction to asexuality that provides ample material on which to build future research.— QED: A Journal in GLBTQ Worldmaking